As an F-1 student, it is your responsibility to be familiar with and abide by the immigration regulations as they relate to your documents and travel. Please contact OISS directly if you have any questions about the information below.
For questions regarding travel and immigration documents, please Click here to download a quick guide that covers some frequently asked questions and answers.
Documents
OISS recommends that you check all of your immigration documents regularly to ensure that they are accurate and up-to-date, especially before traveling. If you have any questions regarding your documents, please contact our office directly.
Important Reminder: Do not rely on Google or other online sources for immigration-related questions. You should only obtain information directly through our office. Additionally, students should never submit any government (USCIS) applications without consulting our office. This includes, but is not limited to, Form I-539 and Form I-765.
Must be valid at least 6 months into the future at all times. If you have dual citizenship, be sure to always enter the U.S. with the passport that is associated with your I-20.
Check your I-20 for accuracy, paying special attention to:
- Biographical information
- Major(s)
- Program end date
- Travel signature
At the time of orientation, our office issues a travel signature to all students. The travel signature is valid for one year (or 6 months while on OPT). If your signature is expired, it is your responsibility to obtain an updated travel signature from our office in a timely manner– do not wait until the last minute!
If your I-20 needs to be updated, please request a new one through iTorero > F-1 Student Services > I-20 Request. If you need an extended I-20, you must submit the Program Extension Request through iTorero.
The F-1 visa stamp must be valid for international travel purposes. However, if your F-1 visa expires, you can stay/travel in the U.S. as long as your I-20 is valid. You are not required to renew your visa if you will not travel outside the country.
For visa renewal inquires, please contact our office for guidance, as visas can only be renewed at a U.S. consulate abroad.
If you are traveling to either Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands, you may travel under the Automatic Visa Revalidation Program with an expired F-1 visa.
An electronic admission number is given to you every time you enter the U.S. It is important to print off your most recent I-94 and carry it with you when traveling.
If you are encountering issues retrieving your I-94, or need a correction, please refer to this guide: I-94 Procedure for Retrieval Corrections.
Students on post-completion OPT receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card, which is an important immigration document. Students on OPT who plan on traveling internationally must carry their EAD card, along with the other documents mentioned above. We also recommend having an employment verification or job offer letter as a supporting document for your travels.
Lost Documents
If you have misplaced or lost your passport, we highly encourage you to file a police report and visit our office immediately. If you have misplaced your I-20, please request a new I-20 through iTorero.
Travel
Click here to download a quick guide that covers some frequently asked questions and answers.
While students are not required to check in with our office prior to traveling, we strongly encourage that all students review their immigration documents prior to their scheduled trip and ensure that they understand the various travel policies listed below.
It is critical you bring all the below documents when traveling internationally:
- Valid Passport/F-1 Visa
- Valid I-20 (Travel signature validity = 1 year)
- Most recent I-94
It is also highly recommended to have:
- I-901 SEVIS payment receipt
- Unofficial transcript
- Proof of funding
Travel Advice Table
(Note: This table is for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for a one-on-one advising session with a licensed international student adviser at OISS. Whenever possible, please request for an appointment to discuss your intent to travel before making any travel arrangements.)
| Scenario / Question | Can I travel? (General) | Key Requirements to Re-enter U.S. | Main Risks / Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. I'm an enrolled F-1 or J-1 student, in valid status, planning a short trip abroad | Usually yes (Traveling while school is in session not recommended) |
Valid passport (6+ months beyond entry), valid F-1 or J-1 visa, I-20 or DS-2019 with recent travel signature, continued full-time enrollment. | Flight disruptions, consular delays if visa renewal needed, possible extra questioning at CBP. A consultation with OISS may be required. |
| 2. I'm from a country currently subject to a U.S. travel ban / proclamation | NOT advisable | Even with a valid visa/I-20, entry may be barred or heavily restricted by proclamation. | May be denied boarding or entry; rules can change quickly. MUST consult with OISS before travel. |
| 3. My F-1 visa is expired, but I'm in valid status and want to travel home | Risky because you must renew visa | Must apply for a new F-1 visa abroad (except some short trips under automatic revalidation). Need valid passport, I-20, SEVIS fee paid, proof of funding, enrollment, and ties to home country. | Visa interview backlogs, administrative processing (often 30–90+ days), possible visa denial. Travel only if prepared for extended stay abroad. |
| 4. I'm traveling to Canada/Mexico or certain Caribbean islands with an expired F-1 visa or J-1 | In some cases yes, via automatic revalidation | Trip must be 30 days or less, to Canada/Mexico/adjacent islands; must have unexpired I-94, valid passport, and properly signed I-20 or DS-2019. Not available if you apply for a new visa while there or are from certain restricted countries. | If you apply for a new visa and it's refused, you lose automatic revalidation. Country-specific bans may still block re-entry. |
| 5. I'm on post-completion OPT and want to travel | Possible but higher risk | Valid passport, unexpired F-1 visa, I-20 with travel signature (within 6 months), EAD card, and proof of employment or job offer. | If you lose your job or can't show employment, re-entry may be refused. Consular delays if visa renewal needed. |
| 6. I'm a J-1 visa holder on post-completion Academic Training and want to travel internationally | Technically allowed, but highly discouraged | New valid J-1 visa. Reapply for a J-1 visa (dependent on including all initial J-1 visa application documents and appointment availability) prior to re-entry in the U.S. | If you apply for a new J-1 visa and it is denied, you cannot reenter to complete your Academic Training. |
| 7. My OPT is pending and I want to travel | Technically allowed, but often discouraged | Before approval: passport, valid visa, I-20 with travel signature, OPT receipt (I-797). After approval: you must have a physical EAD and job offer to re-enter. | USCIS may issue RFEs or mail EAD while you're abroad; you may be unable to respond or receive the card. High risk of being stuck outside the U.S. if OPT is approved while away. |
| 8. I'm in my 60-day grace period after program/OPT and want to travel | Generally NOT recommended (Travel within the U.S., allowed; Departing the U.S. forfeits the grace period) |
F-1 status ends; you usually cannot re-enter in F-1 just to use grace period. You'd need a new status or new initial I-20/visa. | Likely refused entry in F-1; travel usually treated as departure with no right to return in the same F-1 record. Student may need to plan their return under the ESTA or B1/B2 visa. |
| 9. I've been outside the U.S. for close to 5 months | Requires a consultation with OISS before making plans to return to the U.S. under F-1 | SEVIS record may need to be reset as "initial," requiring a new I-20 and possibly new visa. | Risk of SEVIS termination and loss of continuity of status; may need to restart F-1, repay SEVIS fee, and re-enter as initial student. |
| 10. I need to renew my F-1 visa abroad | Yes, but plan ahead. (We recommend that you do not leave the U.S. until you secure a visa appointment.) | Schedule consular appointment early; bring I-20, transcripts, proof of enrollment, funding, and ties to home country. Expect enhanced vetting and possible administrative processing. | Long wait times, security checks, and possible visa denial. Students from certain countries may face extra scrutiny or bans. |
| 11. I have a pending H-1B change of status ("cap-gap") and want to travel | Travel not advisable | Travel can break the change-of-status request; you may need to obtain an H-1B visa abroad instead. | Risk of losing cap-gap protection and needing consular processing; must consult with your immigration attorney and inform OISS before travel. |
With San Diego being near the Mexican Border, we ask that students carry their immigration documents when leaving central San Diego. You always want to be prepared in the case you get stopped by a border portal officer.
During your 60-day grace period you cannot exit and re-enter the country under the F-1 status. You must re-enter another a valid tourist visa or qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA).
If you choose to travel and re-enter at the border, please refer to our guidance on obtaining a new I-94 here.
Find out more information on visa requirements if you are planning on visiting a country.
Mexico/Canada: Under the F-1 status, you are not required to obtain a tourist visa to visit Mexico. However, you will need to still bring ALL of your immigration documents with you. If you are traveling to Canada, it is responsibility to find out if you are required to obtain a tourist visa (depending on your citizenship).
Currently, traveling to Cuba from the U.S. for tourism purpose is not permitted. For more information, please visit U.S. Embassy in Cuba.
For any travel and visa inquires, please be sure to contact our office for an initial consultation. You may either stop by our office or email internationaloffice@sandiego.edu to request for an appointment.
The following immigration/legal resources are not affiliated with University of San Diego, but may be helpful for international students and scholars looking for immigration advising that goes beyond the scope of the OISS.
Please note
OISS attempts to provide the most recent, useful information to our students. However, we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to here, the iTorero Portal, and in emails coming out of OISS.
Information provided by OISS does not constitute and should not be considered legal advice or a legal opinion, and it may not necessarily reflect the most current legal developments. OISS likewise cannot guarantee the outcome of status-related benefit requests filed with US government agencies. Students should seek the advice of counsel or a tax professional for additional guidance. OISS reminds students and scholars that failure to comply with F-1 and J-1 regulations is a violation of your status, which may result in serious consequences including the termination of your SEVIS record, your inability to re-enter the US, and the accrual of unlawful presence which could lead to your removal from the US.
Direct all questions regarding your F-1 and J-1 status to OISS, internationaloffice@sandiego.edu.